Alltrac 4WD Newsletters

305 South Rd Mile End SA 5031

What’s News

The last newsletter was out a bit early and this one will be a bit late as I took a months leave in New Zealand. Brad and Scott ably assisted by Dave and Brett kept the business running smoothly.

We did New Zealand by camper van, a very interesting country with all extremes close together, snow and glaciers, deserts and Fiords and at least in the South Island a reasonable amount of “ Bush “ or “Free” camping. Sure missed the 4WD a few times though. Surprisingly enough things have changed somewhat in the 35 years since we were last there. Lots more restrictions on access and lots more pay to see things, but that’s just people pressure and economics I suppose.

Cost of Fuel - Through the Roof.

I hope Diesel doesn’t hit the $2.00 per litre before this newsletter gets out.

Slow down - reduce cruising speed and drive a bit more sedately using more moderate acceleration.

Keep your vehicle well maintained - deteriorated wheel bearing grease and gear oils all increase rolling resistance - on most vehicles these should be changed/service at a maximum interval of 40,000km. Regular Servicing including Tappets Fuel and air filters along with spark plugs if applicable will keep your vehicle in top efficient condition.

Turn the engine off when not driving. - The following information is worked out on an average diesel engine but should apply in a similar way to petrol engines.

Diesel engines consume fuel at idle at the rate of 20% of the fuel that they use at full load.

As an example a vehicle that gets 8 km/litre [ 12.2L/100km or 22.6mpg] would use approx 13.5litres per hour.

Therefore at idle it could use approx 2.75 litres per hour or 0.23 litres per 5 minutes. Assume fuel cost is $1.80 per litre the cost to idle for 5 minutes is in the vicinity of 41 cents.

So if you stop for a chat, are stuck in a traffic jam or bogged etc consider turning the engine off. If you have turbo timer I believe that especially in the city they are of no benefit consider not using it.

If we assume a vehicle driven 5 days per week, started and stopped 4 times per day with a 3 minute delay turbo timer, the cost in fuel per annum could be in the vicinity of $250.00. At 8kpl and $1.80 per litre this could enable you to drive another 1100 km per year for free.

Reduce wind resistance and weight - Remove accessories such as roof racks, antenna’s, storage systems, extra spare wheels etc if possible when not being used. - Excessively high suspension lifts increase wind resistance dramatically.

Tyre pressure - Run at reasonably high pressures on bitumen this helps reduce rolling resistance. Run at lowest practical pressure in sand so that you can get through using less throttle therefore less fuel. [ And save the tracks at the same time].

Consider a Diesel/Gas conversion. A vehicle converted to run on Diesel/Gas runs both fuels together substituting LPG for Diesel at a ratio of approx 20%. This normally results in improve power and torque in the vicinity of 15% to 20% and a decrease in fuel cost of a similar percentage.

Simply work out 15% of your annual fuel bill, then work out the repayment time remembering that you also get a considerable performance boost for free.

If you can save 0.50 kpl with any of the above points and travel the average 20,000km per year at $1.80 per litre savings are in the vicinity of $264.00

New Product - DP Chip

Alltrac 4WD have been appointed as an approved install for the DP Chip.

What is DP Chip?

In simple terms it is “Plug In Power” for all electronically controlled Diesel engines. The DP Chip is installed downstream from the vehicle computers altering fuel, timing and air characteristics to create smooth power gains. We have install one in our Toyota 100 turbo and so far very impressed. 30 Day money back if you aren’t satisfied. Power and torque increase in the vicinity of 20% with less turbo lag. If you utilise the power increase your fuel economy would normally be similar to a standard vehicle, or drive it more sedately and gain improved economy.

Workshop Update - Modified Toyota Coaster.

Alltrac’s reputation for lateral thinking and design culminated recently with us being commissioned to modify a Toyota Coaster Tour Bus for use in out of the way places in central Australia. The front and rear suspension were rebuilt and modified giving a 100mm lift and enabling slightly larger tyres to be fitted. Then a Detroit Locking Differential was installed.

These mods will enable the Coaster to get a little bit off the beaten tracks and main roads, but obviously not into the realm of 4WD’s.

Fuel Economy Survey.

Not a great response from our March newsletter re fuel economy but we did get four replies so below is the summary of these.

We are happy to receive more fuel economy fedd back and can publish these on a regular basis.

2005 Prado 3.0L Turbo Diesel Auto - Average over 3578km 11.08L/100km with little variation from towing to 4WDriving to unladen.

1997 Prado 3.6L Petrol/LPG Auto. - Since new 26643km 15.2L/100km mainly city running with 3 large trips, of about 4 weeks each without caravan.

2006 Patrol 4.2 Turbo Intercooled Diesel tray top with “Carry Camper” - On road average 14.2L/100km Off road average 13.2L/100km

1998 Patrol 4.5L Petrol manual - On road heavily laden with roof rack approx 3.5ton 100kph to 105kph 20-21l/100km.

On station tracks etc with load diminishing [fuel, water, food, booze etc] 70-80kph up and down through gears 23-25L/100km.

My 2004 100 Series Turbo Diesel manual - Many times running very fully loaded with large caravan and boat on roof average over 30,000km 16.5L/100km. Open highway careful driving 100kph no wind or hills 13.8L/100. Fully loaded as described above with wind and hills and heavy 4WD without the van but with boat and camping gear. 19.25L/100km.

Technical Update - Vehicle overloading.

There is only one way to find out - put it on weigh bridge and check. This is best done twice, once empty and once fully laden. Front and rear axles should be weighted individually. Don’t forget to include passengers, food, water fuel etc.

On the vehicle compliance plate [normally under the bonnet] the GV or GVM [ Gross Vehicle Mass] is stated.

Maximum weights on each axle are prescribed on the tyre placard normally in a door opening or glove box.

All motor vehicles legally must comply with ADR’s [ Australian design Rules ]. The manufacturer has proven that the vehicle complies with these rules up to the GV stated on the compliance plate. We all know that heavily laden vehicles will not brake and handle as well as when lightly laden and we must drive accordingly. Many times we improve the suspension and brake system to help with this. - But - Once we load the vehicle beyond the designed GV we are unable to prove that the vehicle still complies with ADR’s and of course it will not handle or brake as it was designed to do. Overloading may place you in the situation should you have an accident of driving an un-roadworthy vehicle. Possibly leaving you open to prosecution and the vehicle un-insured.

In the case of vehicle roll over there have recently been some instances of insurance companies insisting that the vehicle be weighted in the condition it was in at the time of accident prior to unloading.

Firstly see if you have a problem. Get it on a weight bridge.

Secondly decide if you wish to carry any potential risk yourself.

If you do wish to take some action look seriously at your loading and accessories and see if there are items you don’t need. If the removing stuff is not an option we may be able to help.

With modifications to suspension and an inspection and report from our consulting engineer a modified compliance plate can be installed to legally increase the GV. In that case of my own Toyota 100 series the GV has been legally increased from 3260kg to 3580kg, a substantial improvement.

June 2008 Workshop Special

Book your vehicle in for June and will supply a free bottle of Fuel Set Fuel Additive.

Fuel Set cleans up your vehicle fuel system ensuring the optimum in performance and efficiency.

Alltrac 4WD - Professional 4WD Service, Repairs, Modifications, Wheel Alignment, Suspension Systems, Diesel/Gas Conversions.